A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor- based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor- based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of displaying the simulated weld puddle on the display device in real-time.

System and method providing arc welding training in a real-time simulated virtual reality environment using real-time weld puddle feedback

A system and a method for tracking and analyzing welding activity. Dynamic spatial properties of a welding tool are sensed during a welding process producing a weld. The sensed dynamic spatial properties are tracked over time and the tracked dynamic spatial properties are captured as tracked data during the welding process. The tracked data is analyzed to determine performance characteristics of a welder performing the welding process and quality characteristics of a weld produced by the welding process. The performance characteristics and the quality characteristics may be subsequently reviewed.

System for tracking and analyzing welding activity

A simulator facilitates virtual welding activity of pipe and open root weld joints. The simulator may include a logic processor based system operable to execute coded instructions for generating an interactive welding environment that emulates welding activity on a section of virtual pipe having at least one virtual weld joint. It also includes a display connected to the logic processor based system for visually depicting the interactive welding environment, wherein the display depicts the section of virtual pipe. A mock welding tool is provided for performing virtual welding activity on the at least one weld joint in real time where one or more sensors are adapted to track movement of the input device in real time for communicating data about the movement of the input device to the logic processor based system.

Virtual reality pipe welding simulator

A system for training welders that includes a data generating component, a data capturing component and a data processing and visualization component. The data generating component operates in real time and derives data from an actual manually-executed weld and further includes a weld process-specific jig, a calibration block positioned on the jig, wherein the geometric configuration of the calibration block is specific to a particular type of weld joint, a weld coupon positioned on the welding process-specific jig adjacent to the calibration block, a welding gun for use by a trainee, wherein the welding gun is operative to form the weld; and at least one target mounted on the welding gun that is recognized by the data processing and visualization component for providing multidimensional position and orientation feedback to the trainee.

Welding training system

An arc welder including an integrated monitor is disclosed. The monitor is capable of monitoring variables during a welding process and weighting the variables accordingly, quantifying overall quality of a weld, obtaining and using data indicative of a good weld, improving production and quality control for an automated welding process, teaching proper welding techniques, identifying cost savings for a welding process, and deriving optimal welding settings to be used as pre-sets for different welding processes or applications.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for monitoring weld quality

A process and a device for automatic determination of parameters for process control systems with unknown transfer behavior are useful for controlling special technical processes in which a functional relationship between process input and process output variables is unknown, at least in parts, while maintaining the properties of the output variables (target functions) within certain acceptable limits. To this end, measured values obtained by the process are subjected to statistical analysis from which control parameters such as theoretical value functions and weighting factors are derived automatically and incorporated in a universally applicable control specification. The control specification is used to determine the control parameter. Adaptation to different processes as well as suitability tests for various control parameters for process control can be carried out comparatively simply using predetermined calculation procedures, conversion factors or the like.

Process and device for automatic determination of parameters for process control systems with unknown transfer behaviour, in particular for process control systems for resistance spot welding.

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur automatischen Parameterbestimmung fur Prozesregelsysteme mit unbekanntem Ubertragungsverhalten und eine Vorrichtung zur Durchfuhrung des Verfahrens, mit dem bzw. der erreicht werden soll, die Regelung spezieller technischer Prozesse, bei denen ein funktioneller Zusammenhang zwischen Prozeseingangs- und -ausgangsgrosen zumindest in Teilen unbekannt ist, unter Einhalten bestimmter Grenzen der Eigenschaften der Ausgangsgrosen (Zielfunktionen) zufriedenstellend zu gewahrleisten. Zu diesem Zweck wird von aus dem Prozes abgeleiteten Mesgrosen eine statistische Analyse erstellt, aus der automatisch Regelparameter wie Sollwertfunktionen und Gewichtungsfaktoren bestimmt werden, die in eine allgemeine gultige Regelvorschrift eingehen. Die Regelvorschrift fuhrt zur Bestimmung der Stellgrose. Durch Vorgabe von Berechnungsvorschriften, Umrechnungsfaktoren oder ahnlichen ist eine Anpassung an unterschiedliche Prozesse ebenso wie Eignungsuntersuchungen fur verschiedene Fuhrungsgrosen fur eine Prozesregelung verhaltnismasig einfach moglich.

Verfahren zur automatischen parameterbestimmung fuer prozessregelsysteme mit unbekanntem uebertragungsverhalten, insbesondere fuer prozessregelsysteme zum widerstandspunktschweissen, und vorrichtung zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens

Ludger Wesselmann

Papers

Process and device for automatic determination of parameters for process control systems with unknown transfer behaviour, in particular for process control systems for resistance spot welding.

Verfahren zur automatischen parameterbestimmung fuer prozessregelsysteme mit unbekanntem uebertragungsverhalten, insbesondere fuer prozessregelsysteme zum widerstandspunktschweissen, und vorrichtung zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens